Swamy at Singirikudi. Subsequent to his visiting Thiru Vahindrapuram Divya Desam for worshipping Lord Devanathan, Prahalada is believed to have come North to Singiri Kudi to invoke the blessings of the Ugra Narasimha Swamy at this Kshetra.
There is a mention about an account which describes this Kshetra as the place where Sage Vasishta was liberated from a curse.
Nimi Chakravarthy, who belonged to the Surya Dynasty, wanted to perform a Yagna invoking Indra and to gain more powers. Vashishta, the preceptor of the Surya Dynasty, was not too keen on this and backed out citing non availability on that day. Nimi who had made up his mind to perform the Yagna approached Kousika Maharishi to be present and lead the Yagna. As wished by Nimi Chakravarthy, the Yagnya was successfully completed.
Later, after completion of the Yagnya, Sage Vashista returned only to find Nimi asleep. Angered that Nimi had gone ahead and performed the Yagna despite him announcing his non availability, and also that Nimi had not come to receive him, Sage Vashista pronounced a curse whereby the body and soul of Nimi were separated. On waking up, Nimi expressed unhappiness on being cursed while he was asleep. Nimi Chakravarthy, who through his various yagnas had already gained powers, cursed Vasishta Maharishi separating his body and soul as well.
Nimi felt that having separated his soul from the physical body he need not revive his life anymore and expressed his wish to have Darshan of the Lord through devotees.
Vashista Maharishi on the other hand sought the help of Lord Brahma to get liberation from the curse. As directed by Lord Brahma, the Sage undertook penance at the Krishnaranya Kshetram of Singiri Kudi. Pleased with the Sage’s prayers, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narasimha gave Darshan and liberated him from the curse.
The Four Narasimha Temples
Singirikudi Narasimha Swamy temple is one among the four Narasimha temples of this region. The others being Anthili (near Thiru Kovilur), Poovarasan Kuppam (15kms North of Panruti) and Parikkal.
The three Narasimha temples of Parikkal (Near Villupuram off the Trichy National Highway), Poovaran Kuppam ( off the Panruti Highway) and Singiri Kudi are in a straight way from West to East. It is considered very auspicious to visit these three temples on the same day. Lord Narasimha at Singirikudi faces the West towards the other two Narasimha temples at Poovarasankuppam and Parikkal.